Molding for electrical conductors



(No Model.)

Patented Oct. 10, 1893.

:litiill tvlulifl: illlllillilivopv W 7 q B B UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REGINALD A. FESSENDEN, OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

MOLDING FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent No. 506,311 dated October 10, 1893.

Application filed August 16, 1892. Serial No, 44 ,222- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, REGINALD A. FESSEN- DEN, of Pittstield, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Moldings for Electrical 0onductors, of which the following is a specification.

Wires or conductors for conveying electric currents have usually been run about the interior of buildings, either by placing them in tubes of asphalt or metal which are usually called interior conduits; by laying the insulated wires in plaster or cement, or by placing the Wires or conductors in grooves formed in strips of wood provided for the purpose, which are technically termed moldings.

' My improvement relates to the third of these methods and is intended to overcome certain difficulties which have been experienced in the practical use of this method. The use of moldings is in many respects the most convenient way of putting up interior wiring as it is cheap and convenient and affords ready access to the wires; butthe wooden moldings which have heretofore been used are dangerous on account of their liability to catch fire from the electric wires when the latter become overheated by the passage, accidental or otherwise, of an excessive current through them, and a plain metallic molding would be dangerous by reason of the liability of the wires to become grounded by being brought in contact with the metal through defects in the insulation of the wires. I overcome these difficulties by constructing the molding with a metallic outer shell which is fire-proof, and placing inside of this shell a v fire-proof insulating substance,having formed in it proper grooves or holes to receive the wires. In this manner I am enabled to 0bviate all danger both from fire and from grounding of the wire.

It is to be understood that theterm molding is used in this specification in the sense in which the term has come to be used in the art of laying electric conductors as designating a strip provided with one or more grooves or holes to receive and support the wires and a removable strip forming a cover to such grooves or holes.

In the drawings I have shown different forms of moldings constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show moldings, differing somewhat in details of construction, suitable for application to a partition or other interior wall of a building; and Figs. 4 and 5 show two forms of moldings, each set into a recess or groove of a ceiling of a building, so that the cover of the moldingis flush with the adjoining surface.

The same letters of reference refer to the same parts in all the figures.

The molding is in each case constructed of a part A permanently secured to the wall or ceiling, and a removable part or cover B, which may readily be taken ofi for inserting the Wires or inspecting them when in position. The outer part of the molding consists of a sheath or casing D, constructed of any suitable metal or alloy. I prefer to use for this purpose sheet iron, tin, brass or copper, but for large sizes cast iron may be used. The surface may be shaped and ornamented so as to conform to the surface of the wall and to harmonize with the ornamentation of the room. Within this sheath or casing is a lining of insulating material C, which may be shaped so as to form a continuous channel for the wires, or may have holes or grooves formed in it for the separate wires, as in the ordinary wooden moldings. This materialshould be fire-proof, and the materials I prefer to use for the purpose are ashestus, asbestus paper, cement, fire-clay, brick-clay or plaster of paris. The interior coating or filling may either be placed permanently Within the metallic sheath or casing when the molding is made, or it may be constructed in short lengths so that it may be inserted after the sheath or casing is placed in position. The wires are run within this insulating lining, as shown atW W. The line of the wall or ceiling is shown at F F in each figure. One part of the molding is made removable so as to give ready access to the wires. In Figs. 1 and 2, the part B forms a cover to the other part of the molding which is attached permanently to the wall. In Fig. 3 the upper part A of the molding is attached to the wall and the lower part B is removable. In Figs. 4 and 5 the lower part B of the molding forms the removable cap or cover, and the part A is permanently secured to the ceiling. In each case free access may be had to the wires by simply removing one part of the molding.

By the use of my improved form of molding I obtain all the advantages of the old forms of Wooden moldings heretofore in use in readiness of construction and convenience in running the wires, and obtaining access to them after they are placed in position without tearing up or marring any part of the interior walls of the building, and I also obviate entirely the danger of fire heretofore eX- perieneed from the use of such molding when made of wood or other combustible material.

Myimproved molding is both fire-proof and water-proof, and it obviates all danger of grounding the wires.

My improved molding also has the advantage over the interior conduits which have been used for house wiring, that it aifords ready access to the wires for examination or repair at all times without removing them or disturbing other wires.

I do not confine myself to any particular form of the molding or to the particular materials mentioned for constructing it, but

IVhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A molding for electric conductors, consisting of a metallic sheath or casing having one side removable and an interior filling or lining of fire proof insulating material, provided with one or more grooves or holes for the reception of the conductors, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of August, 1892.

REGINALD A. FESSENDEN.

Vitnesses:

MARION P. BRACKIN, MICHAEL E. DowLiNG. 

